Find out how popular the last name Zelazny is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Zelazny.

Zelazny, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Zelazny surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Zelazny in America

Zelazny is the 37899th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Zelazny surname appeared 586 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Zelazny.

We can also compare 2010 data for Zelazny to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Zelazny

The surname Zelazny has its origins in Poland, a country with a rich history of diverse cultural influences. The name is derived from the Polish word żelazny, which means "iron" or "metallic." It is indicative of strength and resilience, common traits admired in various societies throughout history. The surname is thought to have emerged during the medieval period, possibly in the 13th or 14th century, when occupational surnames were becoming common in Europe.

Zelazny would have originally denoted someone who worked with iron, such as a blacksmith or metalworker, or someone who lived near an iron mine. This is supported by the frequent use of occupational names in medieval Poland and other Slavic countries. The usage of similar words can be seen in the older Slavic languages, reinforcing the etymological roots tied to metal and ironworking.

One of the earliest recorded instances of a similar name dates back to the late medieval era. Manuscripts and records from this period occasionally mention individuals tied to the trade of metalworking, with variations in spelling due to the lack of standardized orthography. The name appears in various forms such as Zelasny, Zelazni, or Zhelazny, reflecting the influence of regional dialects and transcription errors by scribes.

Historical references to individuals with the surname Zelazny have been documented in several Polish records. An early notable figure is Jan Zelazny (circa 1450-1520), a metalworker known for his contributions to the local craft guilds in Kraków. Another significant individual is Mateusz Zelazny (1550-1610), whose work as a blacksmith was renowned in the region of Silesia, a historically contested area influenced by both Polish and German cultures.

The surname continued to appear in various historical documents and records. One such instance is the record of Stanislaw Zelazny (1702-1768), a merchant who expanded his trade to include iron goods, highlighting the versatility and evolving nature of the professions associated with this surname. By the 18th century, the name was well-established within Polish society.

In more recent history, the surname gained international recognition through the contributions of Roger Zelazny (1937-1995), an American writer of Polish descent known for his work in science fiction and fantasy literature. His novels, such as the Chronicles of Amber series, brought global attention to the name Zelazny, demonstrating its enduring legacy.

Another notable individual is Andrzej Zelazny (1923-1981), a distinguished scholar in Polish history whose extensive research contributed to our understanding of medieval Slavic cultures. His work often referenced the socio-economic conditions that shaped the lives of artisans and craftsmen, including those bearing the surname Zelazny.

The surname Zelazny has a rich history rooted in the tradition of metalworking and craftsmanship in Poland. It has evolved over centuries, intertwining with the cultural and economic development of the regions it originates from. The name's legacy is reflected in historical records and its presence in notable figures who have carried the surname into modern times.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Zelazny

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Zelazny.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Zelazny was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Zelazny has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Zelazny was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Zelazny, please contact us.

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